OCALA, FL (352today.com) – In a world where we usually hear bad things about kids, a group of them is teaching us how to be kind and caring.
Here in North Central Florida, Florida Kids Helping Kids that is really making a difference. This organization started because Gerri Gerthe wanted to help after her son, who has special needs, experienced bullying and felt left out. She decided to step up and create a positive change for other kids.
As Gerthe recalls, “Kids were cruel. They would put paint brushes with paint in his mouth. He was tremendously abused.” To help with this problem, she decided to open her home as a safe place for him and other kids in the neighborhood. This idea was similar to the “Kool-Aid Mom,” who would play games and make snacks for the local children. It soon became something really important for the community.
“I became more involved in my daughter’s school because she had gotten into the wrong crowd and I wanted to be more involved in everything that she was doing,” Gerthe shares. “I also wanted to know where our money was going in the school system.”
Gerthe became active in the Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) at Belleview Middle School. She wanted to help her daughter, who was hanging out with the wrong people, stay on a better path. Gerthe noticed that while the PTO was good at raising money, they really needed more dedicated adults to make a bigger impact. That’s how Florida Kids Helping Kids (FKHK) came to be.
A big moment for the organization was when they helped a boy named Tyler, who had to have six inches of his right leg removed because of bone cancer. Gerthe says that the whole community came together to raise money for a walk-in shower and even got Tyler’s mom a car to take him to his doctor visits. This event not only started FKHK but also showed Gerthe how strong community support can be.
Today, FKHK has grown beyond just special projects; Gerthe expresses that it focuses on building a caring and supportive space for every child. With programs like “Shopping for Siblings,” where kids can choose gifts for their family, and the creative “Trash to Fashion” event that promotes eco-friendly clothing, this organization makes sure that all children feel appreciated and encouraged.
“It’s recycled garments and it has to be 75% recyclable things,” Gerthe explains. “The first one that the kids got to participate with was the Lions Clubs at On Top of the World and all three of my kids that entered won.”
Gerthe shares that two of the girls in the organization tied for second place on their project while the first-place winner had a unique vision for his.
“He wanted to be a tank,” smiles Gerthe. “We had some kids in the group who were interested in engineering, and they actually made him a tank.”
Gerthe says that he was like a transformer. When he stood up, he turned into a robot. But when he got down on all fours, he became a tank.
“He wanted to shoot confetti so bad,” Gerthe laughs, remembering that day. “We would not let him because we didn’t want to have to clean up.”
Gerthe stresses that helping out through volunteering and giving donations is important for keeping these programs going. The organization is looking for people to sponsor them financially, as well as volunteers and donations like clear bins, toys, and school supplies. Gerthe adds that they also need sponsors for their “Trash to Fashion” event and would really appreciate any help for their land and building fund.
Events like the annual fall carnival Oct. 17-27, with the car show on Oct. 19, are great opportunities for the community to join in on the fun and support FKHK.
Gerthe shares her vision for a shared space where different nonprofits can work together all year long.
“Giving back to the community is important,” she says. “Teaching kids to give back to the community is even more important.”
To find out more about Florida Kids Helping Kids or to request help, contact President Gerri Gerthe at 352.703-KIDS (5437) or visit FKHK.org